We meet again 311 nation! Happy Monday to you all. Let’s start the week right by meeting a new excitable who hails from Illinois and has amazing hair! This week our fan spotlight is on Mr. Mario Garza!
Mario developed a love for 311 through his younger brother and they always listened to the band growing up. It wasn’t until after his first concert in 2009 that he really fell deep for them. His brother gave him the ticket shortly after he moved back home and once he saw 311 live, he was hooked! “After that first show I was addicted and wanted to do it over and over again!”
Mario’s show count is up to 21 and includes seeing them in 10 different states! He’s been lucky enough to attend two 311 day shows. Which one of the 21 is his favorite? He says it’s a toss up between 311 Day 2014 and Red Rocks 2013. “Both shows I was surrounded by amazing people. The unity at those two concerts was unreal.”
The song “Still Dreaming” is the one that holds a special place in his heart. He says it’s because a lot of his friends and family don’t really get why he travels to see 311 over and over again, something I’m sure most of us can relate to. Mario says “Still Dreaming” reminds him to keep on doing what makes him happy and not to worry about trying to get the approval of others. Naturally his favorite lyrics come from the song as well: “No I’ll not renounce my views, do what others do. I’d rather drink the hemlock than be like you, to my soul untrue. It never gets easier, so quit tryin’ pleasing her. Everything is a choice, so let me hear your voice.”
Mario hails from the state of Illinois and grew up in Danville. His family consists of mom and dad plus 3 younger brothers, all of whom are 311 fans! Mario joined the Air Force at the age of 18 and was stationed in Grand Forks, North Dakota. He served two tours in Iraq and then was honorably discharged back in 2007. (Thank you for your service to our country Mario!) After leaving the Air Force he moved back to Danville and he works there as a painter and a bartender. He says that since returning home he tries as hard as he can to attend as many concerts and Chicago Cubs games as possible!
Mario loves jigsaw puzzles and NASCAR – both he says are his guilty pleasures! One thing that he thinks makes him unique is his amazing hair! (See photo above!) “Anyone that has met me or is my friend on Facebook knows that I won’t shut up about it! #HairFlow.” Mario also has a love for music from other artists such as The Beatles, Paul McCartney, Rebelution, Dirty Heads, Tribal Seeds, Led Zeppelin, Jack Johnson, Incubus and Rage Against the Machine.
Mario knows that 311 and their music have impacted his life in a big way and he’d like to say to them, “Your music has changed my life in such a positive way! Keep on rockin’!”
To all of you out there in 311 nation he has this message:
“You guys changed my life and helped me expand my horizons. I made many life time friends though 311. Love you and can’t wait for many more good times at future concerts with you all. See you this summer in Ft. Wayne, St. Louis, Chicago, Chillichote, and hopefully I can squeeze in a few more shows this summer.”
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Well excitables, that is our new fan spotlight on Mario Garza! I hope you enjoyed reading about him and his stunning hair! 🙂
Until next week, keep on dreaming and remember, summer is just around the corner! Can’t wait to be surrounded by the unifying love of 311 fans again. “311 is down for the unity!”
Much love – The Runt